Often when I speak to newly engaged couples, they’re a little bewildered by the vast number of options available for their stationery, especially when it comes to those little extras that give the perfect final flourish.
Most stationers will have a list of extras that you can choose from (although what they each offer may vary), so I thought I’d share some of my favourite finishing touches that you can add to your save the dates and invitations.
WAX SEALS
Before pre-gummed envelopes were invented, wax seals were a necessity for sending post securely. While they’re no longer a necessity, weddings have brought them back in a big way. They really can add a touch of charm and luxury when posting something extra special like your wedding invitations.
There are lots of ways to include them within your stationery suite, whether you stick to tradition and use them to seal your envelopes or pair them with a wrap or ribbon.
These days they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and if you want to be really fancy you can get a bespoke monogram stamp made (they make a wonderful keepsake too!).
VELLUM WRAPS
Vellum wraps are one of my favourite ways to finish an elegant stationery suite.
They add another layer to your invitations, holding everything together and add an extra bit of protection too. I love that the semi-transparent finish offers a glimpse of the design within.
They can come plain, or you can get a bespoke design printed on them if you wanted to tie in some elements from the invitations. Depending on the look you’re going for, you can use anything from stickers or wax seals, to silk ribbon or gold twine to tie or seal them shut.
SILK RIBBON
Bundling your stationery sets with silk ribbon really does add that extra special touch.
You can have it tied in a bow, a minimal knot or seal it with a wax seal for double the luxury. There are so many gorgeous colours available to choose from, so you can be sure to find something to match your colour palette.
Don’t forget to factor in potential additional postage costs though, if the envelope becomes a little bulky. I always recommend putting together one set to measure and weigh before buying all of your stamps, just in case!
ENVELOPE LINERS
Envelope liners are like a little hidden surprise for your guests when they open their envelopes. They’re a great way to add in bespoke design elements such as florals, venue illustrations or custom crests and as a bonus, they add an extra level of protection for your invitations too.
ENVELOPE ADDRESSING
Let’s face it, most couples find envelope addressing to be pretty tedious and time consuming so if you have room in your budget, why not add envelope addressing to your invitation package?
Nothing makes a first impression quite like a beautifully addressed envelope, whether you opt for calligraphy done by hand (my favourite) or printed addresses, you’ll be guaranteed to give your invitations that extra wow-factor.
If you’re the creative type, you could even have a go at doing the calligraphy yourselves. Your guests would be truly touched and amazed by the extra effort you’ve gone to. (Check out my recent blog post for some DIY calligraphy tips).
Hopefully you’ve found these explanations and tips helpful, and next time your stationer talks to you about vellum wraps and envelope liners etc…, you’ll know exactly what they’re talking about and whether they’re the sort of thing you’re interested in.
There were of course a few extras that didn’t make the list like belly bands and stickers (to name a couple), but I thought I’d just stick with my favourites for now and maybe I’ll do another post on those some other time.
All photos are by Natalie Stevenson Photography